Despite a not so ideal jump out of the gate, a definite no-no in sprints, Running Rich Racing’s Gusto Mucho (Brigand out of Deceptive Attitude) with John Alvin Guce onboard overcame this disadvantage to capture the P1.5-million 2023 Philracom 4YO and Above Sprint at the Metro Manila Turf Club in Malvar, Batangas last Sunday.

After battling his way to be in contention, Guce kept on urging his mount at the rail just off Benhur Abalos’ Palauig (Ultimate Goal out of Temuka) and Rafael Abacan’s Main Event (Telesto-Sweet Bourbon) which set the early fraction of :12 for the first 200m of the kilometer journey.

But the multi-titled Ruben Tupas-trained grey five-year-old, as if shifting gears, blew past the leaders with a 20′ in the next 400m leaving the field huffing and puffing in his dust.

In the stretch run, Gusto Mucho was already clear by two-lengths ahead of the rest and cruised to the wire with a :25 last quarter for a total time of :57.8.

Taking second place was Faustino Datu’s Asiong (Ultimate Goal/Facil Catana) with Main Event and Palauig salvaging third and fourth, respectively.

“It was all heart on the part of Gusto Mucho. After two second place finishes in his last two runs over longer distances, he proved that speed was his game,” Tupas said in an interview.

Philracom Chairman Reli de Leon congratulated the winning connections of Gusto Mucho and added, “The total sales of more than P23-million over eight races last Sunday shows that local racing is back on the upswing. With bigger events lined-up for the rest of the year, this sales is expected to go even higher.”